Before the elections to India’s first Lok Sabha, back in 1951, the Election Commission (as it still does) released a list of approved elections symbols for different political parties. These 14 symbols show how much Indian politics has changed over the last six decades. The hand symbol that is now almost synonymous with the Indian National Congress was then assigned to the Forward Bloc (Ruikar Group) and Congress’ election symbol was two bulls with yoke on. CPI is the only national party whose symbol remains unchanged.

In the 1951 General Elections there were 14 national parties (now there are only 6) and their symbols showcased in this chart.

Parties and the election symbols:

All India Bhartiya Jan Sangh – Lamp

Bolshevik Party of India – Star

Communist Party of India – Ears of corn and a sickle

Forward Bloc (Marxist Group) – Standing lion

Forward Bloc (Ruikar Group) – Human hand

Akhil Bharatiya Hindu Mahasabha – Horse and rider

Indian National Congress – Yoked oxen (at some places also referred to as bulls, but then there is a difference between a bull and an ox/bullock)